Tap the Ardennes.

Though the use of aluminum box clinchers has largely fallen out of favor in the peloton — even on the stones — those of us among the ranks of the self-sponsored still appreciate the durability, the versatility, and the cost of rims like those on the PowerTap G3 HED Belgium Wheelset. Of course, we also believe that our appreciation of HED's nigh-indestructible C2 Belgium rims shouldn't rule out the option to also measure power. The G3 hub anchoring the rear wheel's equally durable DT Swiss spokes justifies that belief, providing all the reliability of the classic C2 alloy rim platform with the accuracy of PowerTap's industry-leading power meter technology.

The G3 hub is, of course, the star of the show here — otherwise, you'd just be looking at a pair of Ardennes or an unlaced Belgium rim — and rightfully so. With eight strain gauges and a claimed +/- 1.5% accuracy rating, PowerTap's G3 hub continues to be the industry standard against which new power meter models are measured. A big part of this is its virtually universal compatibility with head units. Since it broadcasts its numbers with the ubiquitous ANT+, chances are good that your current head unit is already compatible with it, so there's no extra $300 tax to bring your cockpit in line with your power meter.

The Belgium rims feature the same HED 23mm-wide C2 design as the Ardennes wheel line, which not only increases structural integrity, but it also allows the tire to seat with straighter side walls and a larger contact patch with the ground. These properties contribute to a lower rolling resistance, more secure grip while cornering, a higher tire volume that requires less PSI and nets a more comfortable ride, and — counterintuitively — a smaller aerodynamic footprint by eliminating the light bulb rim-to-tire transition.